Hi all! Newbie from Norfolk here!
Firstly let me apologise for the lack of knowledge and 'technical terms' .. before this week I had zero knowledge of anything to do with aquariums š
Me and the better half have recently inherited a tank, and last weekend finally got around to setting it up. We went around two LFS getting completely conflicting advice about how to set up a tropical tank. While one said to get a filter, heater, decorations, fill it up, let it cycle for 1 week and then return with a water sample which they will kindly test for free. The other said we can add fish straight away to help with the cycle. Help!!
We were sold some, (which I now believe to be driftwood) that is far too big to boil, so I had it in the bath for a couple of days soaking in very hot water, with regular water changes, then added it two days ago and since, the water has turned a 'dirty' colour, which i believe is the wood leaching tannins as i wasn't able to boil it or soak long enough.. We have 3 small live plants which don't seem to be doing anything as of yet but I am hopeful! 1 fake plant that the Mrs just needed to buy for the tank, and a couple of rocks that I believed would be a nice touch!
I havent added any chemicals, but have heard of adding ammonia, which seems to be a highly conflicted topic on this site. I have started 'ghostfeeding' small amounts of tropical flake fish food as have heard as this breaks down, produces ammonia which will help to start the cycle.
I am just trying to be patient with it all but can't help staring at it everytime I walk past to see if anything has changed!
I have posted photos of the tank and some specifications that I worked out online, purely based on the dimensions..not sure how accurate they are.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks, oli!
Firstly let me apologise for the lack of knowledge and 'technical terms' .. before this week I had zero knowledge of anything to do with aquariums š
Me and the better half have recently inherited a tank, and last weekend finally got around to setting it up. We went around two LFS getting completely conflicting advice about how to set up a tropical tank. While one said to get a filter, heater, decorations, fill it up, let it cycle for 1 week and then return with a water sample which they will kindly test for free. The other said we can add fish straight away to help with the cycle. Help!!
We were sold some, (which I now believe to be driftwood) that is far too big to boil, so I had it in the bath for a couple of days soaking in very hot water, with regular water changes, then added it two days ago and since, the water has turned a 'dirty' colour, which i believe is the wood leaching tannins as i wasn't able to boil it or soak long enough.. We have 3 small live plants which don't seem to be doing anything as of yet but I am hopeful! 1 fake plant that the Mrs just needed to buy for the tank, and a couple of rocks that I believed would be a nice touch!
I havent added any chemicals, but have heard of adding ammonia, which seems to be a highly conflicted topic on this site. I have started 'ghostfeeding' small amounts of tropical flake fish food as have heard as this breaks down, produces ammonia which will help to start the cycle.
I am just trying to be patient with it all but can't help staring at it everytime I walk past to see if anything has changed!
I have posted photos of the tank and some specifications that I worked out online, purely based on the dimensions..not sure how accurate they are.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks, oli!